Senior Abuse and Neglect

These data come from the the annual Adult Protective Services (APS) reports. Adult Protective Services defines a client as a vulnerable or incapacitated adult whose mistreatment has been reported to APS.

According to the executive summary of the Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Aging and Adult Services’ Adult Protective Services Annual Activity Report 2010, "[T]here were 6,488 reports of vulnerable adult mistreatment investigated; family members make up 33 percent of the alleged perpetrators; females make up 62 percent of clients who are mistreated; a typical APS client is a Caucasian female, 85 years of age or older; neglect by self (28 percent) and neglect by family members (33 percent) continue to be the leading cause for protective services investigations; and the top two reporting sources are social services (28 percent) and medical services (14 percent)." The years listed are for the state fiscal year which runs from July to June. For example, 2010 is July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010. Graphs depict the total number of field investigations completed on reported abuse. Percentage substantiated is the percentage of field-visited reports that were founded. According to APS, "[I]n 2008, there were 9,592 reports of vulnerable adult mistreatment investigated in 2008. 28% of all alleged abusers were family members. 62% of clients of mistreatment are female."

In July 2007 the new APS Appeals and APS Registry law was passed which requires a burden of proof which is Preponderance of the Evidence. This may account for substantiation rates decreasing during that period.

Visualization Notes:

Although the 80+ population only makes up a small percentage of Arizona's total population, this graph indicates that the most common clients of Adult Protective Services (APS) are 80 years and older. Beginning with the 60-69 age category, the percentage of abuse cases increases with age. This may be due to the fact that many APS clients live alone and that the most common reports are for self-perpetrated neglect. As age increases, so does the potential for functional and cognitive decline, which can lead to self neglect.

Visualization Notes:

This graph indicates that the majority of Adult Protective Services (APS) clients either live in a facility, with family, or live alone/receive little assistance. Until 2007, the largest percentage of APS clients lived alone with little or no assistance. This trend changed in 2007 when those who lived with family became the largest percentage of clients, possibly due to the economic downturn. This also supports the 2000 Census statistic that less than 25% of Arizona older adults live alone. In 2008, those that had unknown living situations or were in developmental disability services placements were the largest percentage. This supports the idea that community supports in the home can reduce the risk of neglect.

In 2008, the "Other" category was redefined to include unknown and Division of Developmental Disabilities placements, and therefore this percentage significantly increased.

* In July 2007 the new APS Appeals and APS Registry law was passed which requires a burden of proof which is Preponderance of the Evidence. This may account for substantiation rates decreasing during that period.

Visualization Notes:

According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Aging and Adult Services’ Adult Protective Services Annual Activity Report 2010, states that neglect continues to be the leading cause for protective services investigations.

* In July 2007 the new APS Appeals and APS Registry law was passed which requires a burden of proof which is Preponderance of the Evidence. This may account for substantiation rates decreasing during that period.

Visualization Notes:

Adult Protective Services defines exploitation as "[T]he illegal or improper use of an incapacitated or vulnerable adult or his/her resources for another's profit or advantage."

* In July 2007 the new APS Appeals and APS Registry law was passed which requires a burden of proof which is Preponderance of the Evidence. This may account for substantiation rates decreasing during that period.

Community Information and Referral

CIR activated 2-1-1 Arizona in October 2011 to provide health, community, and human service information and referrals to people throughout the state of Arizona. 2-1-1 Arizona is available 24/7 through the 2-1-1 dialing number and the website at www.211arizona.org